As announced at the April and May
meetings  the OCA board has created an on-line
Members survey. As of this writing (June 1st) there
have been a total of 50 members who have responded.
We obviously have a long way to go before we have
a representative sample from our over 700 members.

The survey will remain open until
the end of June. It is vital as many members as
possible complete the survey. The results of this
survey may impact our (your) clubs direction for
the next five years or so at least. Make sure that
you have had your comments  and your ideas
included in this process!

You can get to the survey right
from the OCAs home page  under the announcement
lists on the right side of the page.

Of the 50 or so survey respondents
so far  many have left specific comments with
their ideas for improving our club (this is exactly
what we want).

A selection of these comments are
shown below;

About the OCA Meetings

Unfortunately, I'm not able
to attend the meetings as often as I would like
due to other commitments, but based on the meetings
I have attended and the summaries posted on the
OCA website, I support the present meeting structure
and focus. The speakers are outstanding... I can't
imagine another astronomy club that offers a better
assortment of speakers (both pros and amateurs)
or topics. * Great feedback

My main reason for attending
monthly meetings is for the monthly speaker and
lately the topics have not been of much interest.
* Look for some VERY interesting and stimulating
speakers and topics coming up.

About Anza

Light the stairs to the restrooms
and have lighting along paths. A red LED every so
many feet would be nice. * Good suggestion.

Signs should be made larger
and clearer. Painting them white so they'd show
up in the dark would be helpful. * Excellent
idea  we need to setup a painting day at Anza

I understand that the club
is investigating both wireless Internet access and
a wireless network. Both of these projects sound
very interesting and beneficial to members.
* This is in planning right now  well
keep everyone informed when we are closer to a solution.

Put the microwave dish on
a track and add a winch motor drive to lower the
dish when not in use. Sometimes it is desirable
to see the northwest sky when viewing on the Kuhn.
*good idea  we have plans to remove the dish
now (as it is unused)

Member benefits

I think the activities that
OCA provides are comprehensive and well focused.
There's something for everyone whether they're a
beginner, a casual amateur, or a serious amateur
doing research. Jim Benet does a great job coordinating
the Outreach events and I believe these are very
important to grow enthusiasm for the hobby.
*Thanks for the feedback  and Jim does deserve
the high praise!

I Would like to see intermediate/beginner
group class held at star parties for members/ new
members. I do not have the time to attend beginner
classes and would like to have a more hands on approach
rather than the classroom. It would also be a good
way to meet other members. * great idea.

OCA Website

Tell us more about the telescope
loaner program * done  see website!

The website is not updated
soon enough, nor on a regular basis. * agreed
 well see what we can do. If anyone
has content (news, information, images, articles)
please send it.

Note; I am nearly 68 and
retired. I have been in poor health for some time
so this web site is my best link to club activities.
.. one of early O.C.A members

That was just a small selection
of the comments. Every single comment will be read
and considered by the board when we review the survey
results at the end of June. My little responses
to the comments above are entirely my own.

The OCA Board is planning on a
special get-together to review the survey results
and to develop an action plan around the feedback
we receive. We will of course be communicating with
you on the survey results and on any resulting changes
and additions to club benefits that may result.

There was one specific comment
from a Member who believes that OCA Board meetings
are not open to the membership to attend. I wanted
to ensure every member understands that you all
have a right to attend any of our board meetings.
This is your club and we are here to serve your
interests. Board meetings are scheduled about every
2 months and are generally held at the offices of
divine in Irvine. Details on the board meetings
can be found at http://www.chapman.edu/oca/boardmeetings.html

Get to that Survey. Your club needs
your input!

Liam Kennedy
"every day we are connecting ever more photons
of light from distant galaxies to the eyes, hearts,
minds and imaginations of our members and others
in our community."